My 'Ancient Fishes' figures

After my recent posts of all (almost) of the Yujin Freshwater fish ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]) I was asked to put up a photo of all of my Arowana figures at once. But rather than just be simple about it, I decided to do group photos of all of the ‘primitive’ bony fishes in my collection. As much because it's fun, and I don't really get to interact with the animals on the shelves very often.

The ‘primitive’ fishes is a pretty arbitrary term, but usually means fish that are part of clades that have roots far back in geologic history, mostly before the rise of the majority of modern fish. The orders included are discussed in a book called Jurassic Fishes (an aquarium husbandry book originally from Japan) as well as the Primitive Fishes blog/Facebook page/Twitter account which happen to include the same groups.

These fish tend to have primitive characteristics somewhere in their physiology, and also tend to be somewhat restricted in diversity or range (with one exception, other than what people have done). In this instance, I am stayingg with bony fishes (Osteichthyes) only. The vast majority are freshwater at least part of their lives. And too many of them are threatened with extinction. Most of the pictures will be Actinopterygii (ray-fins), with only a couple of Sarcopterygii (lobe-fins). So no sharks/rays/chimaera (Chondricthyans) or jawless fishes (agnathans) here. Not that I have any of the latter at all (there is one hagfish figure in existence that I have seen pictures of, and I don’t expect to ever find one).

But I will include the extinct fossil species' figures that I do have! It helps build up the lobe-fins a bit!

Often, the fish included are called ‘living fossils’ which is a silly, antiquated term because fossils are rocks and these animals are still alive. If anything, they can be a testament to how successful a good body plan can be in the long term (again, as long as people stay out of it).

The fish! I will do these from oldest/most primitive group to more recent. The people in the photos are sort of close to scale, with exceptions that will be mentioned.

CLADISTIABichirs:

All of them are the saddled bichir Polypterus endlicheri, likely because of their popularity in Japan (the figures are also all Japanese). For the record, these are my favorite fishes in the whole entire world. I have kept 7 different species over the years, and my fish tanks are never complete if I don’t have at least one…

The most diverse living group—and the most diverse in figures! The two figures reflect the potential scales depending on the size of the animals (the beluga sturgeon is roughly to scale with the small diver; the Lake sturgeon is a modest specimen in scale with the large diver, as examples)

Relative of the sturgeon. Until recently there were two species but it is believed that the Chinese Paddlefish Psephurus is possibly extinct; the American Polyodon is not doing much better in many places. The diver is to scale with the 3D printed model.

The explorer is to scale assuming that the spinosaur is ‘only’ about 15 m long. The gar species is likely Dentilepisosteus kemkenensis given the size, place and time—Cretaceous Africa.

Bowfin:

Of all of the primitive fishes, this has proved to be one of the more maddeningly difficult animals to find in any form. Replica Toy Fish once hinted at a 6” model, but so far that has not happened. So I only have this one, clearly not to scale with the diver:

It is another Whittier Decoys wooden carving. It would be a medium sized specimen if it were alive.

OSTEOGLOSSOMORPHAThe Bonytongues!

The group that started this thread (inadvertently). This is more properly known as the Osteoglossomorphs, and includes Pirarucu (=Arapaima), Arowana, Featherfin Knifefish, Elephantnose fish and other mormyrids; and the freshwater Butterflyfish Pantodon. The only one that I don’t have at least one representative of is the butterflyfish. For now…

Pirarucu:

Roughly to scale with the swimmer, now—like the gars, they were likely capable of growing much larger at one time. There are likely several more figures than this, but I don’t always chase them down. There are also several species of Arapaima but as far as I can tell, all of these are A. gigas; physically the species look very similar.

The picture that started this! I have included them all crammed together—with a representative of at least one figure from each of the Australian, Asian (okay, a lot of those) and American species. The only one missing is an African Arowana Heterotis because nobody makes one. They are also related to Arapaima anyway. Like the Arapaima, I don’t always chase after every Asian arowana anymore, because there are a lot of them! Even of the ones I have, there are variants (such as a Gold Kaiyodo Capsule figure, and a red Marmit figure).

And for fun, a few extinct osteoglossomorphs, from the Cretaceous! These are part of the ichthyodectid family. The small one is to scale with the divers; the large one would be a modest-sized specimen!

L-R: FaunaCasts Xiphactinus; Bandai ‘Hungry Dinos’ Cladocyclus (it is part of a diorama model, being eaten by a Pteranodon—the scale of the Pteranodon helped me determine what species this should be, as it was clearly an ichtyodectid!)

So that’s all of them that I have. For now, because I hope that other figures will show up for these groups more frequently.

I also hope people can add on!

And soon I will post again with the lobe-fins.

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Saarlooswolfhound

Country/State : USAAge : 21Joined : 2012-06-16Posts : 4397

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:01 pm

Beautiful fish, great collection!

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Thanks everyone! It's always fun to pull the figures out and interact with them again; too often, they wind up on a shelf almost right away and don't really get handled again. Don't really have the time to play, and I'm not about to let the kids have them!

As promised, this is the follow up post, featuring what sarcopterygians (lobe-fin) fish figures I have. With only two surviving groups (sort of), there are not many figures. It doesn’t help that there are less than 10 living species, and only three have been made as figures.

I say sort of because, taxonomically, Sacropterygii includes the lobe-fin fishes, and ALL of their descendants. Which means every tetrapod, including us humans, are lobe-fin fish (as far as I understand things, right now, tetrapods are descended from an extinct lineage, the otherwise-extinct elpistostegalians). But I’m sticking to a more publicly minded way of thinking, as ‘fish’ as ‘swimmy thing with fins’.

It also makes it tougher to just have distinct groups; I have a few fossil species as figures, and they tend to work more on a gradient than as specific groups (like the previous ray-fin fishes). The important thing will be their names anyway. And that there needs to be more of them!

First off, I will start with…

DIPNOMORPHA: Lungfishes

Famous for their air-breathing ability, lungfish are found, in 3 families, in the southern continents. The Australian Neoceratodus is critically endangered—and is the only one to have any figures (that I know of…) (and that might be changing? Soon?). And there are a lot of them! All but one are Japanese (at least the Australians made one of their own).

The coelacanths (Actinistia) are famous as the fish that didn’t really go extinct, being discovered in the early 20th century as certainly not extinct in the Cretaceous, just marginalized to the deep oceans, instead of their more familiar shallow and freshwater habitats prior to now. There are two living species (one of which gets made far more often), plus several fossil species, of which I have some figures.

Small Latimeria chalumnae figures

These figures are the smaller ones of this species that I have, roughly to scale with the 1:29 Diver figures. The more recent Kaiyodo CapsuleQ Deep-Sea Life figure is almost exactly the right scale.

Unlike the lungfish, there are a few ‘fossil’ coelacanth figures. Unfortunately, they are almost always painted more or less like modern ones. This makes no sense as their environments would have been much different, but so be it.

The lobe-fins were much more varied in the Paleozoic, and there are a few figures to represent this (put in the right order, with a few more ‘amphibian’-grade figures would give a good evolutionary sequence!). Not many (certainly not enough), but a few.

Unlike the previous actinopterygians, I know that there are many more of these lobe-fins out there—at least among coelacanths (another species that I tend to not chase as much now). So I am hoping to see some others from everyone else!

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Last edited by sbell on Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

RogerAdmin

Country/State : PortugalJoined : 2010-08-20Posts : 21726

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:59 am

Sean, that is not a topic but a scientific report using fish réplicas as educational resources. magnificent presentation around a unique collection. I like all the research, mainly the clever way you used to identify the reptile diet. Talking about food, knowing you are the king fisher of this forum, I do not know if I feel comfortable knowing that I am a lobfin fish. :afraid: can I keep just as a sarcosuchus instead of a sarcopterygii?

Sean, that is not a topic but a scientific report using fish réplicas as educational resources. magnificent presentation around a unique collection. I like all the research, mainly the clever way you used to identify the reptile diet. Talking about food, knowing you are the king fisher of this forum, I do not know if I feel comfortable knowing that I am a lobfin fish. :afraid: can I keep just as a sarcosuchus instead of a sarcopterygii?

See, it's really just a fun exercise--if you go up and down the tree of life, you can connect any two species. It can make a good game, depending on how advanced you want to get!

I am comfortable with being the result of a lucky fish that went to land. The book (and PBS documentary) "Your Inner Fish" is highly recommended, and gives a unique perspective.

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Sean, that is not a topic but a scientific report using fish réplicas as educational resources. magnificent presentation around a unique collection.......

Roger puts ir so much better than I can !!!I am completely overwhelmed WOW

This is a topic where I will come back again and again, and be sure to learn - and spot - something new each time

Thankyou ever so much for yet another fantastic topic

Thanks--I am kind of 'falling down the rabbit hole', so to speak, in regards to my fish models and sorting out their classifications. So I may well end up doing more recent lineages eventually. But I never differentiated them as much, so it will take a while (plus, of course, I keep getting more of them...).

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I know, right? And now you're all thinking, wait, how do I get one? Well, the good news is that you just keep in touch with me, because these are two of the first 3 Fishes that I am having made for the Fauna Figures store!

The third one is Pantodon buchholzi but I don't have a prototype photo yet (the fins are...awkward).

I will of course post more pictures when I have some. Like when I have them in hand! And details about getting them (and yes, there will be a first-run incentive for forum members when I know what that will be).

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Saarlooswolfhound

Country/State : USAAge : 21Joined : 2012-06-16Posts : 4397

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Fri Oct 02, 2015 3:53 am

I have to admit, I am very jealous... I love ceolocanths. And Lung fish, and... and... Fantastic collection and thank you so very much for sharing.

_________________-"I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven’t got the guts to bite people themselves."-August Strindberg (However, anyone who knows me knows I love dogs [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] )-“We can try to kill all that is native, string it up by its hind legs for all to see, but spirit howls and wildness endures.”-Anonymous

I have to admit, I am very jealous... I love ceolocanths. And Lung fish, and... and... Fantastic collection and thank you so very much for sharing.

Well, I am trying to make it easier for people to at least get a lungfish! Other than the gars and a few others, almost every figure is a Japanese one, which means it is difficult if not impossible to find some of them (for reasonable prices. Always a consideration).

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Rakel

Country/State : DenmarkAge : 26Joined : 2015-07-15Posts : 154

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Sat Oct 03, 2015 2:28 pm

Wow... they are beautiful if the pictures I found of them, when is searched, is anything to go by. We have more ordinary fish; goldfish, koi, grass carp and golden orfe (in gold and silver).

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:56 pm

Rakel wrote:

Wow... they are beautiful if the pictures I found of them, when is searched, is anything to go by. We have more ordinary fish; goldfish, koi, grass carp and golden orfe (in gold and silver).

Thsoe are better pond fish though...although, for a little while, I kept gars and bichirs together in a 160gallon pond inside my apartment! I used to be far more hardcore about fishkeeping! Now I just have the little 55gallon.

I used to feed orfes to them all the time though...

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Rakel

Country/State : DenmarkAge : 26Joined : 2015-07-15Posts : 154

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:52 pm

wow.. That is a huge aquarium.

Well I guess that's just how it is, i believe our orfes (and the other fish) eats the fry, so that is how Nature is.Sorry for the late ansvar, I could not find your topic, so had to go back and find the email sent, with a new reply.

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Wed Oct 07, 2015 6:22 pm

Rakel wrote:

wow.. That is a huge aquarium.

Well I guess that's just how it is, i believe our orfes (and the other fish) eats the fry, so that is how Nature is.Sorry for the late ansvar, I could not find your topic, so had to go back and find the email sent, with a new reply.

I've always kept predators--I've gotten used to it. I worked in pet stores for ten years, so you get very used to life and death--especially among fish and reptiles.

It is funny though--now that I have a 55gal, it feels so small. My largest glass aquarium was 120gallons and held gars, arowana, bichirs and large plecos, plus some other odds and ends. The only downside to a pond is that everything is from above--need to come up with a strong enough clear-sided self-supporting pond! They are great for growing pond plants indoors as well (in Canada, those plants don't last long outside ).

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Also, I just noticed how remiss I've been in this thread--I have several more Ancient Fishes (mostly FaunaFigures ones, but they count!) that need to go on here! Assuming I have a proper handle on the photos, I should be able to make this happen sooner rather than later!

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Oh, a traditional gar is surely more impressive than that very interesting fish. Though, it is surely great that you could find one of these replicated. FFF are surely ancient fish and this topic could help someone searching for them to find a way to your FFF.

Oh, a traditional gar is surely more impressive than that very interesting fish. Though, it is surely great that you could find one of these replicated. FFF are surely ancient fish and this topic could help someone searching for them to find a way to your FFF.

I would definitely agree--gars are far more unique looking than Lepidotes! Especially as represented by the figure.

The only other one I know of is attached to the claw of the Invicta Baryonyx! If it wasn't such a hard, molded plastic, I would try and find a cheap spare one and remove the fish!

_________________Looking for animal figures? I have an actual online store, out of Canada! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Oh, a traditional gar is surely more impressive than that very interesting fish. Though, it is surely great that you could find one of these replicated. FFF are surely ancient fish and this topic could help someone searching for them to find a way to your FFF.

I would definitely agree--gars are far more unique looking than Lepidotes! Especially as represented by the figure.

The only other one I know of is attached to the claw of the Invicta Baryonyx! If it wasn't such a hard, molded plastic, I would try and find a cheap spare one and remove the fish!

A spare one in a very poor condition once the Invicta baryonyx is an impressive figure. It is amazing that you can identify the often negleted prey in these figures. I could never guess what it could be. But, predators are part of these collections, I will never consider to remove the fox from my Reisler golden eagle. OK, I agree that foxes are more common than Lepidotes.

Oh, a traditional gar is surely more impressive than that very interesting fish. Though, it is surely great that you could find one of these replicated. FFF are surely ancient fish and this topic could help someone searching for them to find a way to your FFF.

I would definitely agree--gars are far more unique looking than Lepidotes! Especially as represented by the figure.

The only other one I know of is attached to the claw of the Invicta Baryonyx! If it wasn't such a hard, molded plastic, I would try and find a cheap spare one and remove the fish!

A spare one in a very poor condition once the Invicta baryonyx is an impressive figure. It is amazing that you can identify the often negleted prey in these figures. I could never guess what it could be. But, predators are part of these collections, I will never consider to remove the fox from my Reisler golden eagle. OK, I agree that foxes are more common than Lepidotes.

Well, that's why I would want a spare...I like my existing one!

_________________Looking for animal figures? I have an actual online store, out of Canada! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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barracudacat

Country/State : USAAge : 33Joined : 2016-08-11Posts : 400

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Fri Aug 26, 2016 10:07 pm

Amazing collection! I'm so glad you decided to "self promote" because I love these prehistoric fishes too, especially the gars and sturgeons. Here I thought no or very few examples of these existed in toy form, but now I see there are almost too many to choose from. Great collection of arapaima and lungfish, too! I also really like your xiphactinus. This is one I'm surprised isn't more popular since it's a relatively well known species that has been featured in quite a few documentaries.

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:00 pm

As mentioned, I realized that I had several figures that should be in this thread--but just haven't gotten to it!

So now I am adding them! Most of the photos will have at least one model from before for comparison of size.ACTINOPTERYGIICLADISTIABichirs:

A few more bichirs--the very large P. endlicheri from Favorite, and two versions of the P. senegalus from Fauna Figures--the 'normal' and a special-request albino. Compared to every other bichir figure out there...it isn't enough:

The Favorite Arapaima, a favorite species for many Japanese companies, is probably the largest onne available. And the other new one is the only figure of its kind, from the same family--the African Bonytongue, Heterotis niloticus

African Bonytongues are strange fish--they are filter feeders in freshwater waterways throughout much of continental Africa (and have been introduced elsewhere, even into Madagascar, as food fish). Heterotis is also called the African Arowana, but recent work indicates that they are more closely related to the giant Arapaima, despite very different appearances and lifestyles.

in the FaunaFigures Fishes, we added one more of the osteoglossomorph species that has never been done--the African Butterflyfish Pantodon buchholzi. It is pictured with the 3D printed mormyrid and featherfin knifefish. Unfortunately, the mold for the Butterflyfish may be too damaged, and I'm not sure if it can be recovered. But we will work towards another eventually!

On the left is the original model, Protopterus annectens, the West African lungfish. On the left is a custom-request paint scheme for Protopterus aethiopicus, The Leopard Lungfish or Marbled Lungfish. Although the figures are the same size and mold (they appear very similar), the real animals are quite different in size--the West African species is about 1m, while the Marbled can reach over 2m. The protopterid lungfish (like the South American lepidosirenid lungfish) are more derived air-breathing specialists, with fully functioning lungs. Unlike the Australian species, these species are obligate air-breathers that (as adults) don't even have functional lungs. And they are all capable of aestivating--burying in mud during dry periods while still breathing.

ACTINISTIACoelacanth

It wouldn't be an Ancient Fishes post without at least one new Coelcanth model, from Japan of course. This is from the Ancient Fishes line from Favorite, and it is a big figure--pictured with the Safari and Colorata model, to give a sense of just how big! Plus, there is an even larger one (one of the large Vinyl toys) but I don't have that yet.

Okay, so this is the first foray outside of the 'bony fishes' but it is a first (although I think there is a goofy toy or two out there). We made a FaunaFigures Fishes Lamprey, because it is about time! This one is an American Brook Lamprey, Lethenteron appendix. Although famous for being parasitic animals, the brook lamprey is not--juveniles (amocoets are bottom feeders (detrivores, if you're fancy), while adults don't feed at all--they breed and die. So the Safari Largemouth bass in the photo, roughly to similar scale, is perfectly safe!

I'm also a big freshwater fish-figure fan. Know of anything new and exciting? I need to know as well!

RogerAdmin

Country/State : PortugalJoined : 2010-08-20Posts : 21726

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Mon Aug 29, 2016 2:24 am

Fabulous set of pictures and wonderfully presented, Sean! Most are extremely realistic when compared with the real thing, I guess. Completely off topic, have you noticed that Yowies USA released a very modern fish but rare in toy shape... the Devil's hole pupfish? Not comparable in detail witht hese masterpieces but surely interesting for a fish lover.

Fabulous set of pictures and wonderfully presented, Sean! Most are extremely realistic when compared with the real thing, I guess. Completely off topic, have you noticed that Yowies USA released a very modern fish but rare in toy shape... the Devil's hole pupfish? Not comparable in detail witht hese masterpieces but surely interesting for a fish lover.

Roger, I had not seen that--but I'm going to need to chase it down! Thanks!

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Thanks for sharing your newest pictures. They're amazing! The favorite arapaima in particular is a real stand out piece. That particular species seems to be growing in popularity around the world and it's little wonder since they're so spectacular.

Bichirs are actually a new species for me, but just looking them up briefly on google, I can see why they're popular as well. Not only do they resemble a missing link between fish and amphibians, but they have such gorgeous colors and patterns. Your figures definitely represent the real thing very nicely.

I'm also surprised there aren't a lot of African lungfish since this is the species I first think of when I hear the "lungfish" name. They actually do seem quite different from the Australian variety which makes me wonder if the two species are an example of convergent evolution (unrelated, but have very similar characteristics). Very cool lamprey, too! This one I think could be very appealing to the general public because it has the cool and scary factor going for it.

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Thu Sep 01, 2016 3:49 am

barracudacat wrote:

Thanks for sharing your newest pictures. They're amazing! The favorite arapaima in particular is a real stand out piece. That particular species seems to be growing in popularity around the world and it's little wonder since they're so spectacular.

Bichirs are actually a new species for me, but just looking them up briefly on google, I can see why they're popular as well. Not only do they resemble a missing link between fish and amphibians, but they have such gorgeous colors and patterns. Your figures definitely represent the real thing very nicely.

I'm also surprised there aren't a lot of African lungfish since this is the species I first think of when I hear the "lungfish" name. They actually do seem quite different from the Australian variety which makes me wonder if the two species are an example of convergent evolution (unrelated, but have very similar characteristics). Very cool lamprey, too! This one I think could be very appealing to the general public because it has the cool and scary factor going for it.

The lungfish are related, but the Australian is definitely more primitive, looking a lot more like some fossil species. The Afro-American ones (Lepidosireniformes, if you're fancy!) are definitely more derived; like many living things, they are what's left of an anicent and diverse group (kind of like the bichirs, the gars, the bowfin, the coelacanths, the bonytongues...!). Of the 'primtive' lineages, only the sturgeon seem to remain diverse (human influence notwithstanding); but the paddlefish are as restricted as the rest!

And, yeah, bichirs are totally my true spirit animal. I first discovered them when I was 12, and have always been facinated by them. I am guessing that they would be more familiar and popular if they originated somewhere other than the Congo river system. Keeping them in a fish tank is pretty easy, I've kept several species (and have 3 right now!).

_________________Looking for animal figures? I have an actual online store, out of Canada! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I'm also a big freshwater fish-figure fan. Know of anything new and exciting? I need to know as well!

Last edited by sbell on Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

barracudacat

Country/State : USAAge : 33Joined : 2016-08-11Posts : 400

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Fri Sep 02, 2016 5:52 pm

Quote :

The lungfish are related, but the Australian is definitely more primitive, looking a lot more like some fossil species. The Afro-American ones (Lepidosireniforems, if you're fancy!) are definitely more derived; like many living things, they are what's left of an anicent and diverse group (kind of like the bichirs, the gars, the bowfin, the coelacanths, the bonytongues...!). Of the 'primtive' lineages, only the sturgeon seem to remain diverse (human influence notwithstanding); but the paddlefish are as restricted as the rest!

Very interesting information. I actually would have guessed the African variety were more primitive since their overall design and body shape, particularly the fins, looks a lot more simplistic. I had no idea the Australian ones dated that far back into prehistory, essentially unchanged. No wonder you see so much more of them. I bet they'd be interesting to observe in real life as well.

Quote :

And, yeah, bichirs are totally my true spirit animal. I first discovered them when I was 12, and have always been facinated by them. I am guessing that they would be more familiar and popular if they originated somewhere other than the Congo river system. Keeping them in a fish tank is pretty easy, I've kept several species (and have 3 right now!).

Very nice! Congratulations on owning this unique species! If they're as easy keepers as you say they are, I'm sure they'll grow in popularity. It took a long time for gars to become popular, even in the US (people seem to be all about bass and catfish here), but then again, you can't really own them unless you have a zoo.

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Sat Sep 03, 2016 12:02 am

barracudacat wrote:

Quote :

The lungfish are related, but the Australian is definitely more primitive, looking a lot more like some fossil species. The Afro-American ones (Lepidosireniforems, if you're fancy!) are definitely more derived; like many living things, they are what's left of an anicent and diverse group (kind of like the bichirs, the gars, the bowfin, the coelacanths, the bonytongues...!). Of the 'primtive' lineages, only the sturgeon seem to remain diverse (human influence notwithstanding); but the paddlefish are as restricted as the rest!

Very interesting information. I actually would have guessed the African variety were more primitive since their overall design and body shape, particularly the fins, looks a lot more simplistic. I had no idea the Australian ones dated that far back into prehistory, essentially unchanged. No wonder you see so much more of them. I bet they'd be interesting to observe in real life as well.

Quote :

And, yeah, bichirs are totally my true spirit animal. I first discovered them when I was 12, and have always been facinated by them. I am guessing that they would be more familiar and popular if they originated somewhere other than the Congo river system. Keeping them in a fish tank is pretty easy, I've kept several species (and have 3 right now!).

Very nice! Congratulations on owning this unique species! If they're as easy keepers as you say they are, I'm sure they'll grow in popularity. It took a long time for gars to become popular, even in the US (people seem to be all about bass and catfish here), but then again, you can't really own them unless you have a zoo.

I've been keeping them for years--there is a small, but dedicated aquarist segment that keeps them.

Of course, I have kept gars as well. And arowana. And stingrays. But bichirs are the best (and easiest to maintain).

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Wonderful that Barracudacat asks the questions that I didn't even know could be asked

I think it's simply because I've also been interested in prehistoric-looking fish too, particularly gars and sturgeons, since I was a child and have done a lot of research on them. The only reason I don't collect them is simply because I never knew these fantastic figures existed until now. Now as I mentioned, there are far too many choices.

Quote :

Of course, I have kept gars as well. And arowana. And stingrays. But bichirs are the best (and easiest to maintain).

Very nice! It sounds like you have a zoo of your own. I'm curious as to how you were able to keep the gars because even the smaller species still max out to about 1-2 feet long (at least the ones I'm familiar with) and they'd need to eat some sort or raw meat. I can see now why Bichirs make better companions.

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Re: My 'Ancient Fishes' figures Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:57 pm

barracudacat wrote:

Quote :

Wonderful that Barracudacat asks the questions that I didn't even know could be asked

I think it's simply because I've also been interested in prehistoric-looking fish too, particularly gars and sturgeons, since I was a child and have done a lot of research on them. The only reason I don't collect them is simply because I never knew these fantastic figures existed until now. Now as I mentioned, there are far too many choices.

Quote :

Of course, I have kept gars as well. And arowana. And stingrays. But bichirs are the best (and easiest to maintain).

Very nice! It sounds like you have a zoo of your own. I'm curious as to how you were able to keep the gars because even the smaller species still max out to about 1-2 feet long (at least the ones I'm familiar with) and they'd need to eat some sort or raw meat. I can see now why Bichirs make better companions.

First off, I kept small ones (Florida gars). And they don't grow very fast, I think mine were under 60cm. At first I had them in a 120gal wide tank (with the bichirs and arowana--and briefly, the rays). We later upgraded to a 160gal indoor pond. When we started moving around again, we found them an even larger home.

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I'm also a big freshwater fish-figure fan. Know of anything new and exciting? I need to know as well!

sbell

Country/State : CanadaAge : 42Joined : 2013-11-06Posts : 982

Subject: Sarcopterygii update! Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:18 am

I have some adding to do—I wanted to do some posts of primitive non-bony fishes, but I decided to first post some lobe-fin models that I forgot earlier. This includes a few less-fishy animals that were in the transition from ‘fish’ to ‘amphibians’. And which give a clear idea of why categories like ‘fish’ and ‘amphibian’ can be so awkward when the transitional forms are considered!

A group that I skipped before (other than Tiktaalik)—these animals represent late stages of the Tetrapodomorpha, a paraphyletic group of fish-transitioning-to-land animals. Some of the latest are very amphibian-like, while early ones are more fishy. Except for a few very derived forms…as a group their forms are found in various parts of the world from the late Devonian up to, in a few forms, the late Carboniferous (or late Pennsylvanian, if you use the USGS terms).

Despite the much more aquatic niche of Crassigyrinus, this animal is actually relatively derived among the stegocephalian tetrapodomorphs.

So until next times, when the weird extinct ones like Placoderms, Acanthodiians and Agnathans make their appearance! I’ll give it at least a few days!

***BONUS MESSAGE as I'm doing this, I thought I'd mention my 'wants' thread--where I am looking for a couple of fish, including the Panini lamprey and the new Yowies pupfish. Just throwing that out there!***

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